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Lot Essay
The ethnic Chinese modern Indonesian painter and one-time governor of Jakarta, Henk Ngantung, was born in 1921 as Hendrik Hermanus Joel Ngantung.
Self-taught as a painter, he made significant sketches and drawings of parlimentary sittings and political debates during the fiery days of nationalism seen in President Sukarno's Indonesia. Between 1960 and 1964, he was earmarked by President Sukarno to be the vice-governor of Jakarta for his insights into how to civilise and make Jakarta a cultured city. In a brief one-year period from 1964 to 1965, he became governor.
Henk Ngantung retreated into a life of seclusion after stepping down as governor of Jakarta. He continued painting through illness. Before his death, he was honoured with his first and last solo exhibition, supported by the noted Indonesian collector, Ciputra.
Painted in his later years and a definite departure from his documentary paper works, Pelabuhan (Lot 162) is a classic post-impressionst work of a tranquil harbour with moored ships and fluttering sails. Henk Ngantung's strength of composition and colour, alongside a serene artists' temperament, is revealed here.
Self-taught as a painter, he made significant sketches and drawings of parlimentary sittings and political debates during the fiery days of nationalism seen in President Sukarno's Indonesia. Between 1960 and 1964, he was earmarked by President Sukarno to be the vice-governor of Jakarta for his insights into how to civilise and make Jakarta a cultured city. In a brief one-year period from 1964 to 1965, he became governor.
Henk Ngantung retreated into a life of seclusion after stepping down as governor of Jakarta. He continued painting through illness. Before his death, he was honoured with his first and last solo exhibition, supported by the noted Indonesian collector, Ciputra.
Painted in his later years and a definite departure from his documentary paper works, Pelabuhan (Lot 162) is a classic post-impressionst work of a tranquil harbour with moored ships and fluttering sails. Henk Ngantung's strength of composition and colour, alongside a serene artists' temperament, is revealed here.